Transcript Highlights:

• But yes, if we found a case where we felt like state taxpayer funds were fraudulently spent, we would
• Every hour spent in our yard reflects that decision.
• So in a sense, I just spent $500 extra dollars for something that wasn't necessarily necessary.
• in the long run. would increase the total spent in the long run.
• You need to make sure the money is spent wisely and for the education.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a long agenda of agency rule changes, beginning with housekeeping on the order of business and then taking up rules from multiple state agencies. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s odometer disclosure rule allowing electronic signatures and disclosures, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and recreational parks, lead-based paint, counseling licensure, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental specialties and compacts, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, medical compacts, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these were described as technical updates, conformity with recent acts, federal standards, or compact participation, and nearly all were approved without objection after brief questions and, in many cases, no public comment. The committee also reviewed Department of Labor and Licensing rules on minimum wage/independent contractor standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements for ATV/LSV dealers, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting and retention programs. Testimony generally emphasized that the rules implemented recent legislation, updated fees or licensing standards, or streamlined existing processes. Members asked a few questions about fee structures, the rationale for regulating professional wrestling, and how the National Guard’s public-private partnership and incentive programs would work; the department said the recruiting incentives would be funded from existing appropriations and were intended to improve retention and force strength. These rules were also approved without objection. The most extensive discussion came on the Department of Education’s Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program rule. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify allowable expenses, and speed approval of core educational purchases. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting certain sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting phone purchases except for disability-related needs, setting a $1,000 threshold for additional review of technology purchases, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about safeguards, appeals, sports equipment, provider credentialing, rural vendor access, and whether the department would be flexible or overly restrictive. The department said it would review every request, provide written explanations for denials, allow appeals up to the State Board, and refer suspected fraud to prosecutors if necessary. After hearing from 13 members of the public, the committee continued to discuss the rule, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the EFA rule is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And over the last 12 months, we've spent over $10,000 on publishing our public notices, which is more
• And over the last 12 months, we've spent over $10,000 on publishing our public notices, which is more
• And over the last 12 months, we've spent over $10,000 on publishing our public notices, which is more
• And over the last 12 months, we've spent over $10,000 on publishing our public notices, which is more
• </c> over the last 12 months, we've spent over the last 12 months, we've spent over<00:26:48.440><c>

Bills: HF1532 , HF1290 , HF2231 , HF2013

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:39.960><c> fuel</c> storing additional dry Cask spent fuel storing additional dry Cask spent
• So we think these funds are well spent, and we'd encourage maintaining the RDA. Thank you.
• So we think these funds are well spent, and we'd encourage maintaining the RDA. Thank you.
• She said she finds it exciting that we have the low-income solar rewards, which were spent within six
• within six weeks of the year that spent within six weeks of the year that there<01:02:08.960><c> are

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Coulter,<00:49:08.720><c> you</c><00:49:08.920><c> spent</c><00:49:09.320><c> a</c><00
• portion of Coulter, you spent a great portion of this<00:49:10.200><c> session</c><00:49:10.560><c>
• </c> and put it in the first year and spent and put it in the first year and spent all<01:28:17.600><
• The money has been spent. Every opportunity that we had to fix it was no.
• </c> The money has been spent. The money has been spent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee making sure that we have oversight on the monies that are being spent.
• going to get the accurate information that you are looking for with the amount of budgetary funds spent
• going to get the accurate information that you are looking for with the amount of budgetary funds spent
• going to get the accurate information that you are looking for with the amount of budgetary funds spent
• going to get the accurate information that you are looking for with the amount of budgetary funds spent

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So these are dollars that have already been allocated and they've actually already been spent.
• So we'll see how that goes, but I just saw today an article that we've already spent... ...by the war
• And I think that he is also right that some of that money will be spent on gaming throughout the state
• We spent those five weeks working on and crafting a responsible budget for the people of Arizona.
• No, we are growing government by more than the amount that was spent just last year.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he had spent the previous afternoon talking across the street with the governor’s staff about
• :11:42.959><c> talking</c> I spent yesterday afternoon talking I spent yesterday afternoon talking across
• The previous law, local dollars spent.
• Do you see any conflict with your House Bill 1495, which limits how resources can be spent?
• House Bill 1495 limits how resources can be spent?

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, my concern is when I when I see a $650,000 that hasn't been spent on a grant since 2020, and
• when I see a $650,000 that<00:19:13.720><c> hasn't</c><00:19:14.000><c> been</c><00:19:14.159><c> spent
• </c><00:19:14.640><c> a</c><00:19:14.720><c> grant</c><00:19:15.120><c> since</c> that hasn't been spent
• on a grant since that hasn't been spent on a grant since 2020, 2020, 2020, and<00:19:17.159><c> it's
• </c> uh, spent uh, spent at at at the<00:57:45.440><c> Outdoor</c><00:57:45.840><c> Heritage</c><00:57

Bills: HF3564

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• working on this bill, the members here today, Representative Craft, Representative Howard, I think we spent
• Howard,<00:02:58.480><c> I</c><00:02:58.720><c> think</c><00:02:58.800><c> we</c><00:02:58.959><c> spent
• most of our Howard, I think we spent most of our interim<00:03:00.560><c> um</c><00:03:00.720><c> in
• And we've spent a lot of time on thinking about implementation and really being pushed by city groups
• and was what we call the menu was spent and was what we call the menu option.<00:10:42.399><c> So</c

Transcript Highlights:

• What matters is how the money is spent.
• Scholarship funds are spent or which students are accepted or rejected.
• What matters is how the money is spent.
• What matters is how the money is spent.
• What matters is how the money is spent.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications. The Senate reported passage of Senate Bills 52 and 124, and several House committees reported favorable action on bills including HB 1, HB 2, HB 94, HB 246, HB 282, HB 299, HB 307, HB 519, HB 613, and HB 648. Most of those measures were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar; HB 1 and HB 307 were sent to the Rules Committee after having had two previous readings. The House then recessed briefly before returning to the orders of the day. The chamber took up HB 568, relating to public adjusters. The sponsor explained that the bill would prohibit new public adjuster licenses, allow current licensees to renew, impose conflict-of-interest and contract requirements, set a 5% fee cap, and bar public adjusters from negotiating claims, citing consumer protection concerns and legal opinions about the practice of law. After debate and a brief explanation of vote from a member citing local storm-related abuses, the House voted on roll call and passed HB 568 with one nay vote. The House then considered HB 1, which would opt Kentucky into the federal education freedom tax credit program. Supporters said it would allow private donations to scholarship-granting organizations to benefit Kentucky students without using state general funds, and argued it could help public, private, and homeschool families with education-related expenses. Opponents criticized the speed of the process, warned it could open the door to vouchers and charters, and argued it would mainly benefit wealthier donors while public schools remain underfunded. Members also questioned the bill’s waiver of 11th Amendment immunity and received explanations that the waiver was limited to federal-court jurisdiction over the federal program and would not create individual liability for state actors. A motion to table the bill failed with 19 votes in favor, and debate continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are restrictions on how that money is to be spent.
• The board and its staff have spent a, and DOE and its staff have spent a considerable amount of time
• The board spent a lot of time in New Mexico this fall.
• The board spent a lot of time in New Mexico this fall.
• I have spent the last 40 years working on this issue.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• He already leaked how he spent the money.
• He spent the $600 million acquiring 30-type projects all over the state of Hawaii, and it's going to
• He spent the $600 million acquiring 30-type projects all over the state of Hawaii, and it's going to
• We spent $335 million.
• We have some monies that need to be spent in fiscal year 26.

Summary: The joint Housing and Public Safety/Water and Land hearing first took up HB 1096, which would repeal statutory tenant-selection preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in state low-income housing. HPHA testified in support, saying the change was a housekeeping measure because the same preferences already exist in administrative rules and could be adjusted later to align with other local preferences, while also noting the federal VASH program provides stronger veteran housing support. Several members questioned why the preference should be removed at all, emphasizing that veterans have long been underserved and asking for a stronger justification; the committees ultimately deferred HB 1096. The later Housing/Hawaiian Affairs agenda heard HB 606 HD1, a measure to extend Act 279 funding and related exemptions for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Supporters argued the bill would give DHHL more time to use the $600 million appropriation to acquire land, work with developers, and address a wait list of about 29,000 applicants, while also helping restore Hawaiian communities and reduce the Hawaiian diaspora. Opponents focused on accountability and oversight, saying DHHL needs clearer plans, measurable goals, and stronger safeguards before receiving more money, and warning that prior spending and strategic-plan changes had reduced the number of applicants served. The committee also heard testimony that the bill would help DHHL fulfill long-standing obligations to Native Hawaiians and that the housing need affects the broader state, not only Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and so, um, I guess I'm just trying to, you know, we spent some time and that's what you see in the
• Um, and so, um, I guess I'm just trying to, you know, we spent some time and that's what you see in the
• Um, and so, um, I guess I'm just trying to, you know, we spent some time and that's what you see in the
• Um, and so, um, I guess I'm just trying to, you know, we spent some time and that's what you see in the
• some time and that's what know we spent some time and that's what you<00:55:03.480><c> see</c><00:55

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• These reports show how much is spent and how it is being spent.
• These reports show how much is spent and how it is being spent.
• These reports show how much is spent and how it is being spent.
• These reports show how much is spent and how it is being spent.
• These reports show how much is spent and how it is being spent.

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• that's being spent.
• You've got tax being collected and tax being spent, and we tax to feed the hand that's being spent.
• The state spent $0. Slide 13 shows our request is based on the same percent.
• So counties have spent an average about $63 million.
• The counties have spent to cover these costs in the past three years.

Bills: SB 1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee convened for its first hearing of the 89th regular session, confirmed a quorum, adopted committee rules by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the committee’s organization, introduced staff, and described the budget as conservative and focused on one-time investments. She highlighted major SB 1 priorities including property tax relief, full funding for public education formulas, teacher pay, school safety, border security, Medicaid growth, dementia research, energy and water infrastructure, transportation, wildfire suppression, and other capital and public safety needs. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending in 2026-27, with a projected $23.8 billion ending balance from the current biennium. He cautioned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid committing short-term surpluses to ongoing expenses. He also explained that the Economic Stabilization Fund is projected to hit its constitutional cap, meaning an estimated $5.6 billion in severance tax and related revenue would remain in general revenue in the upcoming biennium rather than flow into the fund. Senators discussed whether to raise or rename the fund and the implications of keeping more severance-tax revenue in general revenue. The Legislative Budget Board then gave an overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major funding changes. LBB staff explained that the bill is essentially flat at $332.9 billion in all funds, but includes large method-of-finance shifts and major property tax relief. They detailed how prior property tax relief enacted in the 88th Legislature grew from an estimated $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher property values and hold-harmless provisions, and said SB 1 continues that relief with a total of $51 billion in ongoing and new property tax support. Members asked extensive questions about the automatic growth in school tax compression, the constitutional homestead exemption, COVID-era federal funding, Medicaid assumptions, and the sunset of the non-homestead circuit breaker. No additional votes or final budget actions were taken beyond adoption of the committee rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• These costs include the time spent by our bookkeeper monthly on monthly remittance, additional point-of-sale
• 08:44.240><c> time</c> business these costs include the time business these costs include the time spent
• 45.120><c> our</c><00:08:45.279><c> bookkeeper</c><00:08:45.920><c> monthly</c><00:08:46.839><c> on</c> spent
• by our bookkeeper monthly on spent by our bookkeeper monthly on monthly<00:08:47.760><c> remittance<
• And you know, they spent the revenues that they accumulated on Robert Street at the retail strip, building

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The first year it was about $45 million, spent across the state in the summer of '23.
• The first year it was about $45 million, spent across the state in the summer of '23.
• The first year it was about $45 million, spent across the state in the summer of '23.
• The first year it was about $45 million, spent across the state in the summer of '23.
• If it was ... oio we uh we spent about $1.8 Million oio we uh we spent about $1.8 Million last<00:32:

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• When I was in the first grade, I spent a lot of time under my desk. I thought it was an airplane.
• How much money has been spent over time in legal fees in this space?
• spent? spent?
• . spent. spent.
• </c> of time how much money has been spent of time how much money has been spent over<01:42:54.239><c

Summary: The committee first approved the June 9 minutes, then reviewed a deferred personnel contract involving workers’ compensation claims administration. Staff explained that the roughly $50 million figure included about $48 million for claims payments and up to $1.45 million per year for administrative services, with billing based on a fee schedule for specific services rendered. Senator Meredith raised concerns about the vendor’s history, the scoring and bid process, and prior allegations involving the company; the administration responded that the procurement had been conducted under 45A through open competition, with outside scorers and no finding of wrongdoing tied to this contract. Meredith moved to disapprove Contract 167, Hart seconded, and the committee voted 5-2 to disapprove it. The committee then deferred a Western Kentucky University personal services contract because the vendors were still not registered with the Secretary of State’s office. Hart moved to defer the contract until the August 2026 meeting, Meredith seconded, and the motion carried. The committee also approved the agenda covering the various contract lists and deferred items. Next, the committee heard from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on several personal services contracts for medical staffing and related services. Secretary Steven Stack and staff explained that staffing shortages often require outside vendors, that the contracts were competitively bid under 45A, and that the cabinet uses a streamlined vendor pool for specialized needs such as actuaries, auditors, and technical consultants. The committee approved Contracts 52 through 55 without objection. Discussion then began on Contract 61, with Meredith expressing concern that the committee lacked enough detail to judge whether the services could be performed in-house or whether the exchange of resources was appropriate; Stack said the contract was intended to provide efficient access to specialized outside expertise. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on Contract 61 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But Lee and I may have spent more time with you and Cindy than maybe anybody in this chamber.
• We spent a lot of time with them in Volusia County.
• I know there's strong feelings about the issue, but we can't let taxpayer dollars be spent on this.
• They'll probably get public safety money spent toward it. They can do it if they want to.
• We've spent a lot of time in my office and your office on the phone talking about this.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and memorial remarks, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the conflict in Iran. The chamber then moved to special orders and took up a series of bills, with many measures passing unanimously after brief explanations and, in several cases, substitution of House companions. Early bills included CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, which drew extensive supportive debate about the civic value of debate programs and passed 37-0, and SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force, which was amended to clarify that criticism of Israel is not prohibited and then passed 37-0. The Senate also approved CS/CS/SB 1230/HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals and firefighting foam, with discussion focused on phasing out AFFF, testing requirements, exceptions for federal aviation and military uses, and support for firefighters and water quality; the bill passed 37-0. Other measures passed without opposition included SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training, SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services, SB 990/HB 883 on protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, SB 560 on child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684/HB 961 on electronic signatures for salvage titles, and SB 778/HB 569 on forensic client services. Two bills, SB 432 on intoxicating substances and SB 928 on dangerous crimes, were temporarily postponed. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from funding or promoting DEI efforts he described as discriminatory or indoctrinating, while opponents offered amendments to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances. Those amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor then continued explaining the bill’s exceptions, including references to holidays, heritage sites, and the Pulse Memorial, and the chamber was still in debate on the underlying measure when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and spent 20 years of my career. I spent the first 10 in banking, in proper banking.
• person for Circle, which is now traded on the NYSE as a stablecoin, and spent two years there leading
• And then prior to that, I spent 15 years across big firms like Morgan Stanley and Bank of America.
• And then prior to<01:07:21.039><c> that,</c><01:07:21.280><c> I</c><01:07:21.440><c> spent</c><01:07:
• </c> for the DOJ and then prior to that spent for the DOJ and then prior to that spent 15<01:07:34.480

Summary: The commission met with a quorum, approved the agenda, and approved the November 12 minutes after a motion, second, and unanimous voice/online consent. The chair said the meeting would include two presentations—one from Noah Herman of Fortress Global and one from John Kicko and team from Hedera—followed by discussion of the commission’s next steps and public comment. The chair also noted he was still seeking a clerk for note-taking. Herman’s presentation focused on stablecoins, blockchain use cases, and operational considerations for states and other institutions. He described Fortress as an enterprise crypto-wallet and treasury platform serving corporates, governments, and nonprofits, and used examples such as Save the Children and a large global commodities firm to illustrate custody and treasury management on blockchain rails. He said stablecoins are designed to maintain a U.S. dollar peg, are increasingly backed by treasuries and subject to greater transparency, and are being adopted by major firms and payment companies because they can improve speed, reduce cost, and simplify payments. He also highlighted market growth, including claims that stablecoins now represent a significant share of on-chain activity and are a major holder of U.S. Treasuries. He identified custody as a key issue for state and institutional use, outlining qualified custody, managed custody, and self-custody models. He said the main practical challenge for the commodities client was moving funds safely and quickly across global time zones and that blockchain rails could solve problems that traditional banking rails could not. He framed the broader trend as one of accelerating institutional adoption, citing recent acquisitions and product launches by Visa, Stripe, Citi, and PayPal as evidence that stablecoin infrastructure is becoming mainstream.